Texas Panhandle civic, business leaders lobby lawmakers in Austin

Texas Panhandle constituents are recognized on the floor of the Texas Senate on Tuesday at the Texas State Capitol in Austin.

Amarillo City Commissioner Brian Eades, from left, Commissioner Ellen Robertson Green, Mayor Paul Harpole and Commissioner Lilia Escajeda attended Panhandle Days on Tuesday at the Texas State Capitol in Austin.

AUSTIN — The Texas Panhandle got the attention of the State Capitol on Tuesday.

As they do every two years when the Texas Legislature is in session, civic and business leaders from the 26-county region visited Austin to bring to the lawmakers’ attention the area’s legislative priorities.

Amarillo Mayor Paul Harpole, who led a group of about 125 people, said they were not disappointed with the daylong visit, officially known as Panhandle Day at the State Capitol.

“We’re pinpointing to things that are important to our part of the state,” Harpole said after the contingent was officially recognized, first in the House and later in the Senate.

The region’s priorities for this year are agriculture, education and energy, followed by tax rates, health care, water, transportation infrastructure and workforce development, according to the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the biennial visit.

Some of the Legislature’s priorities — such as water and transportation funding — are the same as those of the region, Harpole noted.

“Transportation dollars need to come in, and we’re supportive of water dollars so that they build reservoirs in South Texas,” he said. That helps us protect our area of Texas and our groundwater. We are not a target in 30 or 40 years as long as they have enough water.”

Local control also is a priority for the region, Harpole said. After lunch, each member of the group was expected to visit at least one legislator’s office to convey his or her concerns.

Rep. Four Price, R-Amarillo, who penned a House resolution welcoming the group, said he was pleased with the visit.

“It is an extraordinary opportunity, not only for the residents of the Panhandle to come to the Capitol and experience the process firsthand, but it is a great experience for other legislators from across the state to hear from the members of the delegation as to what is important for our area,” Price said.

Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, said in his Senate resolution why it was important for his colleagues to honor the Texas Panhandle.

In addition to its rich history, “the region is also known for its traditional ranch lands, crop and meat production, large areas of oil and gas reserves, major industry and a nationally recognized workforce,” part of the resolution reads. Equally important, it is “a region of many exemplary citizens and community leaders.”

Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, along with Price and GOP Reps. Ken King of Canadian and Drew Springer of Muenster, welcomed Harpole and other group leaders to the House floor.

Smithee said the visit was necessary because every city in the state sends a similar contingent to Austin to lobby the lawmakers.

“So, it is helpful because it allows them not to get behind,” Smithee said.

And he was particularly happy that Harpole, who was making his first official visit to the State Capitol, made the trip, Smithee said.

“We were glad he was able to come because he got to meet some of the leaders in the state in trying to work out some of the problems we have,” Smithee said.

Harpole said he was equally pleased with the visit.

“I think it’s great,” he said. “It helps us to have that input because they (the region’s legislators) are bombarded right now from many different sources.”